Sxwpilemaát Siyám holds space in many organizations, focusing her work on Economic Reconciliation. One of her roles is as Transformative Storyteller for Economic Reconciliation, with Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Environment, Community Economic Development. To find out more, please go SFU Community Economic Development and download Step into the River: An Economic Reconciliation Framework and so much more. She also supports SFU Beedie School of Business, Women in Leadership, and many other organizations through her consulting business.
Sxwpilemaát Siyám also serves as a Trustee for the Squamish Nation Trust; representing the benefactors in the management of this Community Trust and has recently been appointed to the Board of Directors for the New Relationship Trust. She serves and served as an advisory or board member for many entities. Her educational background includes a B.A. in Business, CED Certificate, and many other related trainings and experiences.
Sxwpilemaát Siyám is a very passionate and resilient woman who is committed to working with others to keep her circle strong and continue the movement towards self-determination. She believes her People’s greatest legacy is the children, thus, it is their responsibility to ensure that the children’s future and the generations to follow have a good life based in a holistic approach to well-being. So, that all of the ‘People Yet to Be’ have the tools to engage in the world in a completely different way than we have and can walk in two worlds with ease…using the past to make a better a future.
Sxwpilemaát Siyám
Sxwpilemaát Siyám, also known as Chief Leanne Joe, of the Squamish Nation, is one of sixteen Hereditary Chiefs of the Squamish Nation and the first female Chief of her Lackett Joe Family. She shares her traditional name with her late father, Sxwpilem Siyám, Chief Philip Joe. Sxwpilemaát Siyám is also a descendent of the Kwakwaka’wakw speaking people and carries the traditional name of Q-Gee-Sea Loud, which was given to her by her late Cheecheeya (grandmother on her mother’s side). She is also descendant of the Thomas family of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation on her late grandmother’s side of the family (my late father’s mother, Emma Thomas).
Sxwpilemaát Siyám was born and raised on the beautiful shores of North Vancouver while having close relations to her roots on the east coast shores of Vancouver Island. She moved to the Nicola Valley 14 years ago, after she met, fell in love and married Timothy ‘Spike’ Manuel (N’petkwulax), from Upper Nicola Band with relations to the Nlaka’pamux and Shuswap People. They live in the Nicola Valley. Sxwpilemaát Siyám and N’petkwulax have a 17-year-old son named Isaac, who carries Sylix, Sḵwx̱wu7mesh and Kwakwaka’wakw traditional names. Sxwpilemaát Siyám’s husband is a traditional knowledge keeper/cultural teacher and works with youth and community to engage them in rebuilding their cultural teachings and knowledge. Their son is their life teacher as he engages them in healing, listening, laughter and patience.